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Sturminster Marshall

Homewatch News March 2008

Various developments have occurred with speed within the last few weeks (as at 27th March 2008) which we hope will lead to a faster resolution of many of the concerns expressed by residents of the village.

PACT (Partners and Communities Together) panels
Recent Government legislation has led to provision for PACT panels to be set up in residential areas, providing for the various community agencies and residents to work together in resolving issues agreed to be of concern and thereby improve the quality of life in those areas. Such issues may be submitted by any member of the public for adjudication by the panel and passed onto the appropriate agency, after which a report on action taken by that agency MUST be referred back to the panel. Such a panel has since been appointed, comprising a cross–section of volunteer residents of the village of which I and a lady resident have been appointed co-Chairpersons. Issues for attention may be communicated by way of the suggestion box in the Post Office, by speaking to the Community Beat Officer, P C Watkins or contacting myself as detailed below. Please take advantage of this new facility, which is a very powerful tool in addressing civic issues.

Youth panel
In recognising that anti-social behaviour is a key issue, we have also formed an opinion that an extension of the leisure-time facilities in the village could serve a useful purpose in relieving the frustration and boredom contributing to the problem. To further investigate this opinion, a meeting was recently set up in the Memorial Hall with an open invitation to the youth of the village to attend and contribute their thoughts. Several constructive suggestions were received. A panel of enthusiastic residents has since offered to bring parents and young people together at a drop-in open meeting in the Memorial Hall (which, by the time this article is published, will have taken place) on Saturday 5th April 2008, involving a number of displays and activities which the organisers hope will capture the imagination of the children and encourage them to consider participation in organised activities. Longer-term plans are being considered with a view to developing more facilities in the village to accommodate those activities.

Homewatch

The Ringmaster system as a means of communicating details of criminal activities in the area by email is a success in isolation but, unfortunately, this facility caters for only a limited section of the village who have registered their email addresses and we feel that a wider distribution is necessary. Many of the adjoining local areas operate a formalised system which is financed by a modest levy (say £1.00 per household per annum) and which provides for regular newsletters containing reports and warnings on criminal activities as well as security tips and other valuable useful information to be circulated to all households. If, on reading this report, you would be interested in participation, please contact me. My ideal would be that every household in the village could be kept up to date with current issues and that there would be sufficient volunteers prepared to assist in the publication and distribution of such communications. I’m sure that we all wish for a happy, tidy and peaceful village but this can only be achieved and maintained as a result of a certain level of input. There are already a number of residents who are working hard for the common good. Can we look to you for your support also?  

Geoff Thomas - Homewatch Coordinator
Tel: 01258 858878 EMail